Alex’s Artwork – Alzheimer’s Disease
The assignment was clear; find a concentration that is meaningful to you that shows a progression through twelve pieces of art. When approaching the project, St. Francis High School Senior Alex Fisher knew exactly what she wanted as the concentration of her Advanced Placement Art portfolio.
“When we were told to find something meaningful for our concentration, I felt I could show the progression of Alzheimer’s through the pictures of my grandpa’s life,” Alex said.
The assignment was clear; find a concentration that is meaningful to you that shows a progression through twelve pieces of art. When approaching the project, St. Francis High School Senior Alex Fisher knew exactly what she wanted as the concentration of her Advanced Placement Art portfolio.
“When we were told to find something meaningful for our concentration, I felt I could show the progression of Alzheimer’s through the pictures of my grandpa’s life,” Alex said. Her grandfather Richard Nagel, who celebrated his 90th birthday in January, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Diseases three years ago.
Alex decided to spend more time with her grandfather last summer, the summer before her senior year of high school. “We spent time together looking through old photos and albums,” Alex said. “Now he is no longer able to read well and doesn’t always recognize me when we visit. He can no longer use a phone or remember to take his medications correctly.”
Alzheimer’s disease has impacted her family not once, but twice. Alex’s grandmother Nancy Nagel suffered from Alzheimer’s, passing away in 2005, seven years after she was diagnosed. Just six years after she passed, Nancy’s husband Richard would be diagnosed with the same disease.
“At this point in time he is better at remembering things from his distant past then more recent memories,” said Alex. She says through the frequent visits, she learned a lot about her grandpa’s life by going through pictures for this project. She wasn’t the only one, Alex’s mother Kimberly Fisher found out a few new things as well. “Both Alex and I learned about events in my father’s life we weren’t aware of prior to this project,” Fisher said. “Alex was able to sit with him and review pictures that seemed to bring back memories.”
Among the pictures they found was Alex’s favorite picture, “When [my grandpa] was surprised at a birthday party because it shows how silly he was.” Most of Alex’s own memories of her grandfather are of him being funny. “He likes to dance, sing, tell stories and read. He is smart and graduated with a business degree from Northwestern University.”
Alex’s AP Art teacher, Tia Holinger said Richard was a consultant to Ronald Reagan at one point in his career, which is why you see Reagan in some of Alex’s Artwork. Her Mom Kimberly says some of the stories portrayed in Alex’s art have special meaning for the family.
“There are pieces in the series of artwork that are my favorite and bring back special memories,” said Kimberly. “We plan on framing those and hanging them in our home.” Alex hopes people can look at this art inspired by her grandfather and feel the emotional journey a person and their family experiences with Alzheimer’s.
This was certainly an emotion journey for Richard as well. He cried when he saw Alex’s pictures. “My father became quit emotional when he saw her artwork,” said Kimberly.
In recent years Alex has been interested in Alzheimer’s disease because of the effect it has had on her family. Her mom thinks this project will have a lasting impact on Alex. “I thought the way her artwork showed the progression of her grandfather’s life was both thoughtful and unique.”
Alex hopes to continue to be a champion for Alzheimer’s Disease as she attends DePaul University in the Fall. She plans to major in Graphic Art and/or Digital Media. – See more at: http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/weekly/august2014/aug13/alex_artwork.asp#sthash.BT8kPjVq.dpuf
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